13
Learning Strategy Training, Cooperative Learning, and
Multiple Intelligences
Introduction
In this chapter, we discuss three methodological innovations: learning strategy
training, cooperative learning, and multiple intelligences. What these three have in
common differs from the approaches in the previous chapters in that they are not full-
blown methods, and their main concern is the language learner. Because of their
different focus, they complement, rather than challenge, language teaching methods.
While these innovations are not comprehensive methods of language teaching, they
reflect interesting and enduring methodological practices, and thus are presented here.
Learning Strategy Training
It was noted in Chapter 5, when discussing the Cognitive Approach, that beginning in
the early 1970s, language learners were seen to be more actively responsible for their
own learning. In keeping with this perception, in 1975 Rubin investigated what ‘good
language learners’ did to facilitate their learning. From this investigation, she
identified some of their learning strategies, ‘the techniques or devices which a learner
may use to acquire knowledge’ (p.43). Good language learners, according to Rubin,
are willing and accurate guessers who have a strong desire to communicate, and will
attempt to do so even at the risk of appearing foolish. They attend to both the meaning
and the form of their message. They also practice and monitor their own speech as
well as the speech of others.
While early research went toward identifying just these kinds of learning strategies,
it was not long before language educators realized that simply recognizing learners’
contributions to the process was not sufficient. In order to maximize their potential
and contribute to their autonomy, language learners—and especially those not among
the group of so-called ‘good’ learners—needed training in learning strategies. Indeed,
Wenden (1985) observed that language teachers’ time might be profitably spent in
learner training, as much as in language training. Such suggestions led to the idea of
learning strategy training—training students in the use of learning strategies in order
to improve their learning effectiveness.